Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Economic welfare of fishermen
 vide an addendum to Covid-19 pandemic lockdown guidelines issued on 10th April, 2020, exempted the activities such as marine fishing operations, aquaculture industry, movement of fish/shrimp products and workers, operation of processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing, hatcheries, feed plants and commercial aquaria in the marine fishing sector. Subsequently, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, is implementing a flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  with highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of five years from. FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States and Union Territories .The financial assistance being provided under the PMMSY to the fishermen, fish workers and fish farmers across the country is facilitating the growth of fisheries sector in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governments of coastal States/UTs through their respective Marine Fishing Regulation Acts  are governing fishing activities including mesh-size and fishing gear regulations, preventing juvenile fishing, zonation for different categories of fishing vessels, etc. for avoiding depletion of resources. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has issued advisories from time to time to coastal States/UTs for ensuring sustainable and responsible fishing practices and to prevent destructive fishing methods.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying issues advisory to coastal States and Union Territories  from time to time to sensitize the fishermen on the implications of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line  and on the importance of not to cross IMBL. Besides, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard  regularly conduct Community Interaction Programmes  for the fishermen in the coastal villages wherein they are sensitised about IMBL among other safety and security measures. ICG ships and aircraft, during regular patrol close to IMBL undertake shepherding of Indian fishing boats into Indian waters. Co-ordinated patrols with neighboring countries are also undertaken in order to sensitize the fishermen to avoid crossing IMBL. ICG also sensitizes Fisheries Departments of Coastal States/UTs and fisheries associations about the perils of fishing near/across IMBL. The flagship scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  being implemented by Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying provides support to traditional fishermen/fishermen’s groups, to acquire deep sea fishing vessels and Automatic Information System/communication devises and support for training and capacity building to avoid crossing IMBL and instead to fish in other areas within Exclusive Economic Zone farther away from their bases. In addition, PMMSY also supports fitment of communication and/or tracking devices, and GPS onboard fishing boats in order to help the fishermen to avoid straying across IMBL.
This information was given by The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Shri. Parshottam Rupala in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today.
MV/MG